Orioles' C. Davis heads to DL with shoulder strain

Jeff Zrebiec, The Baltimore Sun

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, who was going to get a chance to play every day over the final month and a half of the season, was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with a right shoulder strain, an injury that could put the rest of his season in doubt.

"There's something going on in his shoulder; the MRI reveals that," Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. "He wanted to play through it, but at this point, we feel it's best for him to see Dr. Yocum and we'll see where we're at. I don't think it's a 9-1-1 situation, but it's something we certainly have to monitor to make sure it doesn't get worse."

Davis, who is 9-for-40 (.225) with a homer and three RBIs in 10 games for the Orioles, missed four games on the last homestand because of shoulder soreness that was aggravated when he slept on it wrong in Kansas City, Mo. An MRI revealed wear and tear on his labrum and rotator cuff. Davis wanted to play through it, but his condition is not getting any better.

"It just feels the same every day," said Davis, whose roster spot was taken by Brian Matusz. "It's really frustrating more than anything. The biggest thing I need is rest, and it's hard to do that right now, having been just traded over here. Obviously, I want to get in the lineup every day and prove that I'm the player that they thought I was."

The Orioles viewed Davis' medical reports before making the trade, but MacPhail said Davis hadn't been getting treatment on his shoulder while he was with the Rangers.

"It's something that he thinks he's aggravated playing on a more regular basis here," MacPhail said. "We got Chris to play, so it's disappointing in that respect. He's not been able to show us what he's capable of, so that's not doing anybody any good."

With Davis on the DL, Josh Bell will most likely get the majority of starts at third base, with Mark Reynolds starting at first.

Notes: Pitching prospect Dan Klein had an anchor inserted into his right shoulder to repair a slight tear in his labrum and his right shoulder capsule loosened in a surgical procedure performed Tuesday by Yocum. Orioles director of player development John Stockstill said Klein could start a throwing program in mid-December and it's likely that he'll start next season in extended spring training. However, if all goes well, Klein could start pitching in games in late May or June. … Zach Britton allowed one run on three hits and a walk over five innings Tuesday night in a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Norfolk against Charlotte. Britton (left shoulder strain) could be activated from the DL in time to pitch Sunday or Monday … Right-handed reliever Luis Lebron, who had Tommy John elbow ligament-reconstruction surgery last year, was designated for assignment to make room for Dylan Bundy on the 40-man roster. … Orioles top prospect Manny Machado, the shortstop for Single-A Frederick, was ejected from Tuesday night's game for slamming his helmet.